In Lagos Island, a three-storey building under construction at the intersection of Isalegangan Street and Itafaji Market collapsed on Wednesday. The cause of the collapse is under investigation. There are no reports of injuries or fatalities at this time.
The building reportedly collapsed around 10:15 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) responded to the building collapse and conducted a thorough assessment. Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, stated that the agency is working to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure the safety of those in the vicinity.
According to the assessment, the building collapsed on its own without any external factors contributing to the incident. However, the narrow access street may make it difficult to use heavy-duty vehicles to remove the debris. This could slow down the response and recovery efforts.
“The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) should carry out the manual demolition of the few pillars that are still standing,” Oke-Osanyintolu recommended.
“The manual site clearance would be coordinated by LASEMA Lekki branch so that the road could be free from the debris related to construction work before the collapse.
“Members of the public are being engaged in order to stay away from the incident scene,” he said.